III. CARE OF THE PERSON

PREPARING FOOD

 

PEELING CARROTS

MATERIAL

PURPOSE

EXERCISE

The teacher shows the child how to cut the top off the carrot, wasting as little carrot as possible. She shows the child how to hold the carrot pointing downwards over the bowl. Using the vegetable peeler, scrape from the top of the carrot downwards. Turn the carrot until all sides have been peeled. She shows the child how to rinse the carrot and put it on a dish. The child peels as many carrots as he wishes. These are put in the refrigerator.
 
Turnips, apples, etc., may also be peeled. When the child has practiced preparing vegetables and peeling, he or she can then prepare and cut them as required. Some vegetables can be sliced; for example, carrots, apples, potatoes and some can be diced like turnips and potatoes. Have different fruits or vegetables on hand on different days. If you know a child loves peeling carrots, have these on hand until he has satisfied his urge. If he is learning to cut bananas, then supply these until he is satisfied. Otherwise, vary the vegetable and fruit provided.
 
On completion of an exercise, the child, as always, is shown how to clean up. He will wash, dry, put away the utensils used and wipe any surfaces. If he does not wish to do so, he is helped by the teacher or a willing child. The teacher can give positive help in getting the child to understand that he should learn to work in a clean fashion. For example, the teacher might say, "Oh, there is a potato peel on the floor. Let's put it in the bin and perhaps tomorrow you won't drop any." Or, "When you wash vegetables, don't let your tummy touch the sink or your apron will get wet."

Group Exercise

These are arranged sometimes and are greatly enjoyed by the children. The biscuits are made by older children. When rolled up, smaller children will love to cut the rolls into slices and place them on a cookie sheet ready for baking.

Group Exercise

Children who have learned to peel fruit, squeeze fruit, or cut any kind of fruit can prepare a fruit salad.
 
Prepare vegetables for raw snacks in different ways on different days. For example, grated carrot and raisins, grated apple and chopped nuts (lemon juice will preserve the color of the apple until eaten), dice different vegetables for soup. (This need not be cooked at school. The children could prepare them for someone to take home.) Prepare apples for apple sauce or apple butter.
 

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